India’s merchandise trade deficit widened to USD28.38 billion in April 2026 as imports continued to outpace exports, even as the country recorded strong growth in outbound shipments driven by electronic goods, petroleum products and engineering exports.
According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, merchandise exports rose to USD43.56 billion in April 2026 from USD38.28 billion in the same month last year. Merchandise imports increased to USD71.94 billion compared with USD65.38 billion a year earlier.
India’s total exports, including merchandise and services, climbed 13.59 per cent year-on-year to an estimated USD80.80 billion in April. Total imports stood at USD88.61 billion, up 7.67 per cent from USD82.29 billion in April 2025.
Despite the higher merchandise trade gap, the country’s overall trade deficit narrowed to USD7.81 billion during the month from USD11.16 billion a year ago, supported by a strong services trade surplus.
Services exports were estimated at USD37.24 billion in April 2026, compared with USD32.85 billion in the corresponding period last year, reflecting a growth of 13.36 per cent. Services imports stood at USD16.66 billion against USD16.91 billion a year earlier.
Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports increased to USD31.64 billion in April from USD28.66 billion in the same month last year, indicating broader export momentum beyond traditional sectors. Imports under the same category rose to USD45.87 billion from USD39.75 billion.
Among major export segments, other cereals posted the highest growth at 210.19 per cent during April 2026. Electronic goods exports surged 40.31 per cent, while petroleum products exports rose 34.66 per cent. Engineering goods exports expanded 8.76 per cent and drugs and pharmaceuticals shipments increased 7.12 per cent.
On the import side, chemical materials and products imports declined sharply by 35.4 per cent. Imports of pulses fell 29.69 per cent, while crude petroleum and related products imports dropped 10.03 per cent.
Singapore, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Hong Kong emerged among the leading export destinations showing strong growth during the month. Meanwhile, imports from China, Russia, Oman, Peru and Saudi Arabia registered notable increases in April 2026.
